Production Associate

About the role

Ornua is a leading dairy company and the proud owner of premium dairy brands enjoyed by consumers around the world. With annual revenues exceeding $3.7 billion and a global workforce of approximately 2,800 employees, Ornua operates across 10 business units and 12 production facilities spanning Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa. In North America, Ornua is focused on delivering high-quality dairy products and ingredients to retail, foodservice, and food manufacturing customers. The company supports the growth of globally recognized brands, including Kerrygold, while also providing innovative dairy ingredient solutions to meet evolving customer needs. Backed by a strong global supply network and deep dairy expertise, Ornua combines the strength of an international organization with a commitment to local markets, customers, and communities. Through its manufacturing facilities, commercial teams, and customer partnerships across the United States and Canada, Ornua continues to drive growth, innovation, and excellence throughout the dairy industry. At Ornua, our success is built on our people, our values, and our commitment to delivering quality products and exceptional service to customers every day. WHY THIS ROLE IS VALUABLE As a Production Associate, your contributions will strengthen our operations, support our culture of continuous improvement, and help Ornua deliver high-quality products enjoyed by consumers around the world.

Responsibilities

• Open barrels, block, or bags of cheese and other ingredients
• Weigh the ingredients to the specified amount per individual batch sheets
• Use knives and wires to cut and trim the ingredients to the correct weights
• Transfer ingredients from the scale to the pickup tables
• Heavy lifting and the ability to load cheese into grinders is required
• Palletize finished product at the end of the packaging line
• Clean equipment and work areas, to include the laboratory, production and all other areas assigned using chemical cleaning solutions, hand tools and pressurized sanitation equipment.
• Inspect sanitation work and follow up as appropriate to ensure that all operating and sanitation standards have been met to ensure a safe and effective start on time of production and processing equipment.
• Any other duties as requested or assigned

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Solid work history is a must
• Prior food manufacturing experience preferred but not required
• Must be able to stand on your feet for long periods of time (10‑hour days)
• Ability to work with hands and to lift up to 50 lb repetitively
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices a plus
• Basic math skills
• Physical demands: regular standing, walking, bending, twisting, pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 60 lb; must be able to perform repetitive motions and safely operate equipment while following all safety and quality procedures.
• Working environment: performed in a food manufacturing facility with extreme hot temperatures — cooler warehouse areas and warmer production zones; exposure to moving equipment, moderate to loud noise levels; required use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety shoes, hearing protection, gloves, and hairnets.

Benefits

• Low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off
• Maternity Leave (20 weeks)
• Parental Leave
• Reward & Recognition program
• Volunteering opportunities
• Long Service Awards

Pay

Hourly Rate: $20.50 + 8% quarterly bonus opportunity

Schedule

Monday – Thursday Dayshift, 10-hour shifts, overtime as necessary